One of my favorite things about art is that it can mean different things to different people. So, I try not to share too much about the story behind the painting unless someone asks- and then I'm happy to! But in this case, its a funny story that inspired the painting so I cant resist!

Growing up, my brother, cousin, and I would spend time at our grandparents' lake property. One day my grandfather volunteered to teach me how to paddle a canoe. So we suited up in our life vests and away we went. I was seated in the front of the canoe and we paddled along. My grandfather is a man of few words so I didn't think much about the silence in the back of the canoe as we paddled along the lake through the hot, steamy, KY summer afternoon. The canoe seemed to get heavier and heavier and I got more and more tired. I turned to my grandfather to ask him a question and figured out why the canoe was so heavy: he'd been snoozing in the back for no telling how long! I woke him up real quick. He thought the whole scenario was hysterical as did the rest of the family. Me- not so much.

Obviously: this painting was inspired by this silly situation. The main characters are my brother and sister-in-law's obese beagles. The painting is painted over lyrics- a technique I have used in the past. I love the way the words are visible at times, and other times they are hidden. The lyrics are from a camp song I learned in elementary school about a boy and a girl in a little canoe. Do you know it??

This piece is painted on a cradled panel- which I really enjoy because I can hide little funny things on the sides and bottom.